Disappearing tent-spindle.



PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907.

H. J. 000K. DISAPPEARING TENT SPINDLE.

APPLICATION TILED SEPT. 11. 190B.

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PATENT'ED SEPT. 17, 1907. H. J. 000K.

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art a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY .l. COOK, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOEDWARD PATTON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

DISAPPEARING TENT-SPINDLE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 17, 1907.

Application filed September 11,1906. Serial No. 334,111.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY J. CooK, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,have invented a new and useful Improvement in DisappearingTent-Spindles, of which the following is a specification.

In all kinds of tent work there is great difficulty in preventing thespindles projecting from the poles when the poles are not attached tothe ridge poles and in protecting the spindles from damage with theresult that the spindles are bent or broken and the poles rendereduseless.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a spindle and associated partswhich can be inserted in any pole and which fully protect the spindlewhen not in use, permitting of its entire withdrawal when required.

A further purpose of my invention is to provide for the substitution ofspindles of different sizes.

A further purpose of my invention is to provide an auxiliary spindle fora projecting portion of the ridge pole in order that an extension;shelter or flap can be used in connection with the ordinary tent.

A further purpose of my invention is to protect the auxiliary spindlefrom injury when not in use.

A further purpose of my invention is to facilitate the withdrawal of mymain or auxiliary spindle from the recess within which it lies when notin use while allowing no interference from the projection of the spindlefrom the pole.

Figure 1 represents, in perspective, one of the types of tent to which Iapply my invention. Fig. 2 represents, in perspective, a sleeve or tubeembodying a part of my invention. Figs. 3 and 4 represent, inlongitudinalsection and in slightly different positions, a constructionof pole and spindle embodying my invention. Figs. 5 and 6 represent, inelevation and in different positions, a portion of the tube shown inFig. 2. Figs. 7, S and 9 represent, in section, a portion of a ridgepole and a construction embodying my invention therein, differentpositions being shown. Fig. 10 represents a cross section of Fig. 9 uponline Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in thefigures.

Referring to the drawings:1 designates the ridge pole of a tent havingthe main portion formed of top 2 and sides 3-3. The body portion of theridge pole projects beyond the end 5 of the tent proper to form anextension 6, whose end 7 is provided with one embodiment of myinvention. Upon this extension 6 is spread or stretched a cover, shelteror flap 8.. The body of the tent, as well as the flap, is held in properposition in the usual way by means of guy ropes and pegs. The body ofthe tent is supported by any suitable poles 9 and these poles at theirtops are provided with my invention.

As my invention is capable of wider use in some of its forms thanapplication to tent purposes, I illustrate the same independent thereofin some of my illustrations and will describe the mechanism which,inserted in the tent pole or ridge pole, is most highly advantageous intent use. I

10 designates a tube or sleeve, intended as a spindle housinglongitudinally slitted at 11 to provide for the play of a pin 12 uponthe spindle 13 in the longitu; dinal movement of the spindle in saidsleeve. At each end of the longitudinal passage 11 and preferably to thesame side thereof, I provide transverse passages 14 and 15 leading toshort longitudinal pas sages or pockets 16 and 17 within which the pin12 is adapted to rest, holding the spindle in its fully extendedposition as shown in Fig. 4 or allowing it to rest in its retractedposition.

Intermediate the length of the longitudinal passage 11, 1 form atransverse passage 18 preferably in the opposite direction from thepassages 14 and 15. This passage 18 is connected with a longitudinalpassage 19 which extends to the outer end of the tube and permitswithdrawal of the pin 12 at this point.

Upon the outer end of the spindle 13, I provide a portion 20 ofirregular shape, preferably flattened as shown, in order that thisportion may be readily grasped to raise the spindle 13. It will beevident that the flattened form shown, permits insertion of the fingersupon each side thereof somewhat within the tube 10 allowing ease ofremoval with more complete retraction of the spindle 13 than wouldotherwise be possible or permissible.

Taking up first Figs. 3 and 4, it will be evident that the spindle maybe securely retained in its elevated position, or may be suitablyretracted within the tube and hence within the tent pole and that theinvention is effective for both purposes of use and protection of thespindle, as well as in case of desired complete removal-of the spindleand replacement by another.

As more particularly shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the invention may be appliedto a ridge pole on a tent or other like part requiring a projecting pinor stud for certain uses. In the case of the extended ridge pole shownin Fig. 1, the spindle 21 is intended to retain the projecting flap inextended position by passing through a gromet therein, but the spindlecan be retracted by a similar construction to that used in the verticalpoles and held within the ridge pole out of the way when not in use. Inthis form, the withdrawal of the pin is preferably accomplished throughthe transverse passage 18 and longitudinal passage 22, which latter isextended in a reverse direction from the passage 19.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a tube having a longitudinal passageextending over a portion only of the length of the tube and bayonetjoint upon one side of said passage, a lateral passage, a connectinglongitudinal passage upon the opposite side thereof said lastlongitudinal passage extending at one end to the end of the tube and aspindle and pin fitting within the tube.

2. As an article of manufacture, a sleeve having a longitudinal passageand oppositely directed transverse passages therein, and longitudinalpassages communicating with said transverse passages.

3. In a device of the character described, a sleeve having a bayonetjoint at one end upon one side of a longitudinal passage therein, and atransverse passage and connecting longitudinal passage upon the oppositeside thereof reaching to the end of the sleeve, and a spindle and pinadapted to pass Within said sleeve,

4. In a device of thecharacter described, a sleeve of uniform diameterthroughout, open at one end and having a plurality of bayonet jointstherein, in combination with a spindle movable in said sleeve and havingan end of non-circular section.

5. A tent pole, a sleeve, a spindle therein, a pin on said spindle, apassage longitudinal with respect to said spindle in proximity to it, aplurality of bayonet joints leading off from said passage upon the sameside thereof, a transverse passage upon the opposite side thereof and alongitudinal passage connected with said transverse passage andterminating at one end in the end of the pole.

6. A tent pole, a spindle movable therein, a pin fixed on said spindle,a longitudinal passage traversed by said pin, bayonet joints at bothends of said passage, a transverse passage intermediate the length ofthe longitudinal passage and a second longitudinal passage connectingwith said transverse passage.

7. A tent pole, a spindle movable therein, a pin on said spindle, alongitudinal passage terminating at each end short of the end of thepole, and traversed by said pin, a bayonet joint connected with saidpassage, and means for permitting insertion of the spindle and pinwithin said longitudinal passage. r

8. In a device of the character described, a tent pole provided with anopening longitudinally enlarged in the form of a groove and providedwith lateral grooves upon opposite sides of said longitudinal groove, aspindle adapted to tit in said opening, a pin adapted to move in saidgrooves, and means for permitting insertion of the spindle and pinwithin said groove.

9. A spindle housing comprising a tube longitudinally grooved and havinglateral grooves, one on each side of the longitudinal groove, and asecond longitudinal groove communicating with one lateral groove andextending to one end of the tube in combination with a spindle and pinfitting therein.

10. A spindle housing having a longitudinal opening to the extreme end,a transverse slot in connection therewith, a longitudinal slotcommunicating with said transverse slot, and a bayonet joint leading oilfrom said longitudinal slot in combination with a spindle and pinadapted to fit therein.

HENRY J. COOK.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. Winonnsnnni, W. I. JAcKsoN.

